Artificial intelligence (AI) is all around us – from smart home devices to entertainment and social media algorithms. But is AI okay in healthcare? A new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most Americans believe it is, with a few reservations. The national poll of 1,006 people found: 75% believe using AI to minimize human errors is important.
71% would like AI to reduce wait times. 70% are comfortable with AI taking notes during an appointment. 66% believe AI should improve work-life balance for health care providers.
To address some of these issues, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is piloting the Microsoft Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Copilot application. It uses conversational, ambient and generative AI to securely listen to a provider-patient visit and draft clinical notes in the patient's electronic medical record. Rather than the provider typing the notes during the visit, they can focus on the patient then review and edit the notes afterward.
Ravi Tripathi, MD, chief health information officer at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, led the pilot program. From mid-January to mid-March this year, 24 physicians and advanced practice providers in primary care, cardiology and obstetrics and gynecology tested the technology during outpatient clinic visits. After obtaining the patient's permission, the provider records the visit through the AI application.
Once the visit is complete, the notes are organized and rea.